Are You Punishing Your Washing Machine? Damaging Usage Habits You Should Avoid
Washing machines are one of the hardest-working appliances in the average home. Many are often subjected to hard water, uneven flooring, and temperature changes that can affect their performance. But washing machines can also be subjected to an even bigger threat — damaging usage habits by the people who operate them.
Too much detergent
Whether it happens due to a failure to measure or a belief that using more is always better, adding too much detergent or other laundry additives to your washing machine is a critical usage error that can be costly to address.
The first problem that arises from using too much laundry detergent or other additives is the unpleasant realization that your clothing, towels, and sheets do not look or smell as fresh and clean as they should. But over time, this type of misuse can lead to a buildup of residue inside the drum, pump, hoses, and other components that can prevent the appliance from working properly.
If you have been guilty of this bad behavior in the past, you can begin to correct the damage by measuring all laundry products carefully and using them only according to the directions found in your owner's manual. Washing machines that have been misused in this fashion for a long period of time may also need to be professionally serviced to remove existing residue and check for any wear issues.
Too many clothes
Another all-too-common usage habit capable of reducing the efficiency and life span of the average washing machine is overloading it with too many clothes in each load. While this is sometimes done in an attempt to save money by reducing the amount of water, electricity, and laundry products used, it tends to have the opposite effect.
Overloading the washing machine with too many clothes will be more likely to result in clothes that are not properly cleaned or rinsed, as well as excessive wear on agitators, clutches, transmissions, belts, gears, and other moving parts that can be expensive to replace.
Too much dampness
Washing machines have many metal components and delicate electrical connections. When installed in a damp or wet location, problems can occur, ranging from corrosion to electrical shocks. If you must install a washer in a damp basement, cellar, or garage, it is important to elevate it off the floor on a platform so that the machine stays as dry as possible.
To learn more about bad usage habits capable of damaging your washing machine or to address any damage you may have already caused, contact a reputable washer repair service as soon as possible.
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